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Understanding Your Colon

Without the colon’s evacuation of toxins from the system, they – along with undesirable parasites and bacteria – disturb the body and cause serious illnesses that may be hard for individuals to deal with by themselves.

How Does the Colon Perform ?

The function of the colon is to:

Serve as a receptacle for body waste matter or feces.

Soak up moisture and mineral salts from what you eat to achieve fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.

Moisten feces at the proper level to ease elimination.

Soak up and assimilate food particles that are undigested.

Eventually eliminate feces plus any toxins, parasites and harmful bacteria that exist in the colon via the rectum.

The colon, the longest section of the large intestine – and actually termed the large intestine, along with the rectum or anus, by a number of professionals – acts together with the kidneys, liver and skin to get rid of bodily toxins.
Configuration and Location of the Colon

Configured in the shape of an upside down U, the colon is the last and longest segment of the GI tract, concluding at the rectum. This upside down U muscled pipe extends more that 5 feet long with a median diameter of around 2-1/2 inches.

The colon is composed of a trio of primary segments that constitute a component of the stomach cavity. It begins at the bottom right half of the stomach cavity, where the small intestine empties the digested portion of the food consumed. This part is termed the cecum, at which point the ascending colon proceeds north to the base of the liver, next turning sharply leftward traversing the stomach as the transverse colon – the second of three segments. Finally we get to the third and last segment, the descending colon, which proceeds leftwards at a point next to the spleen, then downward left of the stomach to enter the pelvis. This is the point where it is referred to as sigmoid or pelvic colon. Next the sigmoid colon dumps fecal matter into the rectum, where it is at last evacuated from the body.

What is the Colon’s Function?

As fecal matter proceeds through the colon, the colon walls absorb moisture, nutrients and salts from feces. Bacteria that exist within the colon consume undigested food fibers, breaking them down to generate needed nourishment for colon wall cells – the reason fiber is highly regarded as a mechanism for colon cleansing.

The feces proceed until the sigmoid colon walls begin their contractions, propelling fecal matter toward the anus. The action of a colon is taken in the form of a wavelike motion, which is called ‘peristaltic action’ that is meant to move the fecal waste into the rectum on its ultimate path out of the body through the anus.

Colon – The Means to Ideal Wellness

A colon that functions ideally can be the difference between wellness and its antithesis. It won’t just ensure your physical well being but also give you a sense of relief and contentment as your bowel elimination becomes quick and automatic.

You will be able to continue feeling this contentment just by being very familiar with your colon. In addition, some changes to your lifestyle might be necessary at times.